UNBOXED

Through GUAP, Ibrahim and Jide cultivated a highly creative community that supported the ambitions of individuals and brands, paying six-figures to tap into. Behind-the-scenes, they created a way out of the ends, broke the mould of young black South-Londoners and persistently overcame what got in their way. In this episode, we go behind the wildly successful media platform to tell the story of two individuals and their influential career.

0:00 - Intro
02:12 - What is GUAP?
05:25 - Learning from failure
10:50 - "I overcame, and I've been overcoming ever since"
19:26 - The mould they broke
22:05 - Benefits of university
24:00 - Advice to younger selves
26:05 - The early years of GUAP
30:00 - Learning to work with brands
36:00 - The GUAP Gala
42:29 - Forbes 30 Under 30
46:59 - What's next?
49:35 - One lesson from their journey so far

This episode is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video kit. MPB have offered viewers of UNBOXED 10% off their first order for a limited time only. Visit: bit.ly/3YlBBI9 to level up your content creation game now!

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A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

After racking up nearly 7 million subscribers, touring the world and interviewing the likes of Ed Sheeran and Zac Efron, OG YouTuber Caspar Lee quit. 

But when his feed went quiet, his business picked up. In the last four years, Caspar has established himself as a venture capitalist and entrepreneur; founding four game-changing businesses that support creators through talent management, marketing and financial backing.

In this episode, Caspar discusses making money, his 'fail quickly' mentality and demonstrates exactly how he built an exceptional reputation and achieved business success.

0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Career on YouTube
7:00 - On quitting YouTube
9:10 - How Caspar's business supports creators
11:35 - Investing ad-revenue
13:40 - Overcoming imposter syndrome
20:00 - Coming up online, now vs then
23:40 - Test quickly then double down
26:05 - Business as poker
28:17 - Best-worst risks
32:49 - What he'd do differently on YouTube
34:05 - The skill that levelled-up his business
35:34 - Passion ≠ success
39:13 - One piece of advice
39:54 - The creator Caspar is loving: All-In Podcast

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Colin and Samir are EXPERTS in the creator industry. Their Youtube channel colinandsamir features unfiltered conversations with the likes of Mr Beast and the mysterious Dream, they host a hit podcast breaking down the latest creator economy news and they founded The Publish Press, a creator focused newsletter. All this to educate and empower other creatives on how to be successful online.

In 2011, Colin and Samir began working together, over the next 12 years they would start companies, sell companies, accept deals they shouldn't have, decline ones they thought they might, lose money and give up entirely. In this episode, Colin and Samir share their journey to the million subscriber milestone, and how other creators can get there too.

1:30 Working together
3:15 Self-doubt to subscriber milestones
5:40 Finding their niche
7:56 The Colin and Samir origin story
11:54 3 secrets to creator success
15:21 'Proper' job rejections
19:32 Getting financing to be creators
22:25 Focus, ambition and sacrifice
26:30 Behaviours of the best creators (and how to adopt them)
33:17 The monetisation menu
35:31 Management relationships and pitch decks
39:43 What is a creator
44:45 Most surprising stories
48:05 Stress
49:14 Navigating bad partnerships
51:41 The seven-figure deal they said 'no' to
56:55 Behind-the-scenes
59:30 Next chapter
1:05:10 Creators Colin and Samir are loving
1:08:46 One piece of advice

Yes Theory
Amelia Dimoldenberg (Dims Inc)
Ryan Trahan

In 2015, at a time of perfected jump-cuts, parodies and polished beauty content on YouTube, Taz Alam dropped 'I Hate Myself' - a three-minute-long spoken poetry video that would reveal her insecurities, views on the digital space and an unprecedented level of authenticity. It resonated with over a million viewers. Now Taz, known online as ClickForTaz, has a following 1.5 million strong, who are dedicated to her funny, uplifting and highly creative content.

In this episode, Taz Alam reflects on the career and audience she's built in the last 11 years online, and what she's learned about herself in that time.

1:18 - 3:07 Discovery of 2012 YouTube
3:07 - 8:18 On 'I Hate Myself'
8:18 - 13:58 Navigating her 20s with an audience
13:15 - 16:00 Her career highlight
16:00 - 17:37 Her methods for reframing negative thoughts
17:37 - 19:23 'If you can't figure out the why, you're going to really struggle in this job'
19:23 - 21:44 Ways to build self-confidence
21:44 - 23:01 The return to authenticity in the creator space
23:01 - 23:47 Taz's plans for her channels
23:47 - A creator that Taz loves

Taz's favourite creator right now: Max Fosh

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

This episode was recorded remotely using Riverside. To see how you can achieve 4k video via an easy and seamless to use online studio, head to Riverside.fm, and use UNBOXED at checkout for a 20% discount. 

Danny McMahon is the filmmaker behind The Adam Sandler Paradox and The Many Faces of Donald Glover - highly creative, heavily researched documentary films created to live on YouTube. Known online as Dodford, Danny's work, and his success symbolises a shift in what it means to be a filmmaker in the creator economy. In his own words, his work guides the generation of bedroom filmmakers.

In this episode, Danny reveals his inspirations, creative process and how he builds skill and reputation as a filmmaker online. Plus, he talks that Sidemen video and what it's like working with that team now. Essential advice for all bedroom filmmakers.

1:48 - 3:44 The intimacy and intuition of storytelling
3:44 - 10:54 Danny's creative process
10:54 - 12:15 Navigating heavy topics
13:30 - 17:05 That Sidemen video
17:06 - 18:33 Quality vs quantity
18:34 - 20:20 Working with the Sidemen
20:20 - 23:27 How and when to hire a creative team
24:38 - 26:29 Inspirations
26:29 - 27:21 Advice to upcoming filmmakers
27:22 - 32:43 Predictions for creators and filmmaking
32:43 - Creators Danny is loving at the moment

Dodford's favourite creators:
Beta Squad

Sticks 

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Moyo J Ajibade, known online as @YourBoyMoyo, is TikTok's favourite funny guy. 3 years ago, Moyo dropped a video on TikTok where he hilariously recounted why he wouldn't be caught dead swimming in the open ocean. That 50 second clip reached millions, shot up his follower count and launched his online career.

In this episode, Moyo sits down with Jordan to reveal the path to becoming the creator he is today. Expect candid insights about Moyo's intentional approach to managing money, burnout and inspiration.

0:31 - 4:51 The pivotal moment on TikTok
5:00 - 9:12 Being intentional with business opportunities
9:14 - 12:20 When you need management
12:20 - 14:47 Managing finances
14:47 - 17:52 Creativity, pressure and inspiration
17:53 - 20:14 US vs UK TikTok scene, who is the realest?
20:20 - 23:49 The fear of enjoying success
23:49 - 27:38 The role childhood plays in motivation
27:40 - 30:37 Staying at a famous DJ's place in Ibiza
30:38 - 33:20 The biggest challenge
33:20 - 37:30 Memorable fans
35:31 - 38:47 Advice for creators
38:49 A creator Moyo is loving at the moment

Moyo's favourite creator:
Zac Alsop

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Summer Fox built an audience on TikTok of 500k+ strong with her hilarious storytimes, relatable relationship content, and spontaneous lifestyle. While getting fired would be a life crisis for most people, for Summer, it was an opportunity to seize. In this episode, she recounts leaving her job, meeting her boyfriend, and documenting their travels around the world on TikTok. We get an inside look at their relationship, discover where her career stands now, and learn about her plans for the future. Could a potential Summer Fox podcast be in the works?

0:20 - 1:20: Balance and burn out
1:21 - 5:34: Getting fired, meeting her boyfriend and going viral
8:05 - 11:27: Making decisions, for the plot
12:09 - 15:14: Defining the relationship and the content strategy
18:12 - 20:29: Motivation and thrill-seeking
20:30 - 22:09: Maintaining a wealth mindset
24:20 - 27:48: Inspiration and defining authenticity
28:03 - 29:03: Do the best influencers treat their day like a 9-5 job?
29:08 - 40:56: Long-form vs. short-form strategy
41:00 - 42:44: Summer’s five year plan
42:45 - Creators Summer is loving at the moment

Summer's favourite creators:
Madeline Argy, Steven Bartlett, Jay Shetty, Victoria Paris, Sophia and Cinzia

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Viewture CEO, David Page, joins Jordan on this episode of UNBOXED. David is passionate about connecting creators with financial opportunities backed by data. Here, he talks about the opportunities he can spot for creators at the moment, how they connect the traditional finance world to the creator world, and what creators can learn from the previous deals Viewture have made.

1:08 – 3:45 What is Viewture, and how it started
3:45 – 5:31 Common problems and opportunities for creators
5:31 – 7:18 Connecting the traditional finance world to creators
7:18 – 11:11 The multimillion Sidemen deal
11:11 – 15:15 Advice to creators looking to seek a deal like this
15:15 – 18:45 The opportunities for new creators
18:45 – David’s favourite creators right now

David's favourite creators:
WillNE, Ryan Trahan, Russ Cook (Hardest Geezer)

This episode is sponsored by Viewture. Providing up-front funding for content creators.

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Maddie Grace Jepson creates comedic content based on everyday relatable moments. She began her journey as many TikTok creators did, during one of the pandemic’s lockdowns. Maddie’s superpower is her theatrical training, during which she developed her abilities to perform and create improv comedy scenes.

In this episode, Maddie shares her thoughts on her success and the realities of being a creator when you are a sensitive individual. She provides insight into the building blocks that have shaped her, and her humour, into who she is today.

1:24 - 5:00: Maddie's introduction and early beginnings
5:57 - 12:52: Acting and the transition from TikTok
12:52 - 18:22: Maddie's creative process
18:22 - 20:00: Earning money from content creation
20:00 - 24:10: Family life and musical influence
24:10 - 26:00: Maddie's pivotal moment
26:00 - 34:00: Dealing with negativity and sensitivity
34:00 - 43:42 Maddie's future plans and excitement in her career
43:42: A creator Maddie is loving at the moment

Maddie's favourite creators right now:

Soph Galustian, Tyler Lewis, Ayame & Kyron Hamilton.

This episode is sponsored by Viewture. Providing up-front funding for content creators.

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.

Leo Mandella aka Gully Guy Leo started his career as a fashion creator at just 13 years old, turning up to Supreme drops every Thursday to take photos in the latest hyped clothing. In this episode, Leo reflects on what rapid success felt like at such a young age and working with some of the biggest fashion brands around the world. He also shares his views on how social platforms operate today, and where he would begin if he were to start all over again.

00:44 - 04:49 Where Leo's journey began
04:49 - 10:09 Dealing with hate and securing that first booking
10:09 - 21:40 Career-defining moments for Leo
21:40 - 23:28 How to take on constructive criticism
23:28 - 25:59 How the platforms and industries have changed
25:59 - 32:31 Who Leo looks at for inspiration
32:21 - 34:02 What matters to Leo today
34:02 - 39:09 Where Leo sees opportunity in the social landscape
39:09 - Creators Leo loves at the moment

Leo's favourite creators:

Bailey J Mills, Duke + Dexter, Aimé Leon Dore & Clint Ogbenna.

This episode is sponsored by Viewture. Providing up-front funding for content creators.

You can find more UNBOXED content on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube.

A Listen production, with Arcade Media.